The University of Arkansas is celebrating another banner year of philanthropic support after alumni and friends committed more than $169.6 million during fiscal year 2026, marking the fifth-highest fundraising year in university history and the second consecutive year to rank among the institution’s top five.
The milestone comes during a period of significant growth for the Fayetteville campus. Over the past year, the university climbed into the nation’s top 100 public universities while setting institutional records for enrollment, six-year graduation rates, undergraduate scholarship and grant support, research activity and economic impact across Arkansas. University leaders are also pursuing new goals through the 150 Forward Reaching Higher strategic plan, including reaching an 80% six-year graduation rate and generating $500 million annually in research activity.
“This support comes at a pivotal time for the University of Arkansas,” said Chancellor Charles Robinson. “Our record-breaking momentum in key areas such as student success, scholarship support and research activity provides a strong foundation for the next stage of the university’s growth and impact. We are deeply grateful to the alumni and friends whose generosity is helping us reach higher to create new opportunities for students and lasting benefits for our state and nation.”
The fundraising total includes cash gifts, gifts-in-kind, planned gifts and new pledges received between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. During that time, donors established 120 new endowed funds to provide long-term support for scholarships, faculty positions, research, academic programs, facilities and other university priorities.
Support for the university came from donors of all giving levels. Overall, the university recorded nearly 24% more gifts and pledges than the previous fiscal year, while fundraising across its colleges, schools and campus units increased 40.1%—the largest annual increase in four years.
Among the year’s largest commitments was a $10 million gift from the McMillon Family Foundation to establish operating support for the McMillon Innovation Studio and create a construction fund for its future home in Mandy and Bill Dillard II Hall. The planned facility will provide a collaborative learning and innovation space for students from across campus.
The university also saw continued growth through its annual One Day, One U of A giving campaign. Now in its second year, the initiative increased donations by 51.7% and raised more than $275,000 to support scholarships, emergency student assistance, study abroad opportunities, entrepreneurship programs, arts initiatives and community-focused projects throughout Arkansas.
“This year’s total is the sum of thousands of individual decisions to move the University of Arkansas forward in numerous and meaningful ways that ultimately impact the lives of our students and our state,” said Scott Varady, vice chancellor for advancement. “Some of that support will be felt immediately through a scholarship award, funding for research, programs or an opportunity a student otherwise might not have had. We are truly grateful to everyone whose generosity made that possible.”
The university also reached an important milestone in its Land of Opportunity Scholarship campaign during fiscal year 2026. This fall, the inaugural class of 100 Land of Opportunity Scholars will begin their studies, supported by a program that combines financial assistance with mentoring, academic coaching, financial planning and career development opportunities.
Donors established 44 new endowed scholarship funds for the initiative over the past year, bringing total commitments to more than $141.3 million toward the campaign’s $200 million goal. The scholarship program is designed to help high-achieving Arkansas students with the greatest financial need by providing resources that extend beyond tuition, including undergraduate research, study abroad experiences and internships.
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